Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Wow, do you know that AQS will have more than 900 quilts on exhibit at the AQS Quilt Expo in Des Moines? We'll have the AQS Contest quilts - where more than $42,000 in cash will be awarded, and a variety of special quilt exhibits.

The Des Moines Area Quilters Guild will display quilts in their annual show - it's the 25th anniversary of the guild.

When have you seen an exhibit of Judy Martin's quilts? We'll have 25 of them at the Expo. She'll also be giving a lecture on Wednesday evening.

Nancy Kirk, Kirk Collection, Omaha, Nebraska, is sharing some of her patriotic quilts and costumes.

And if you have never met MaryJane Butters of Moscow, Idaho, you're in for a treat. You will be able to view her collection of 40 Aprons at the show. MaryJane will be teaching and sharing some of her experiences in developing your own business. One of her classes is making rugs.

Come have some fun at the AQS Quilt Expo -- you'll be in hog.....er...quilt heaven.

And don't forget that Friday is Dressed Up Denim Day - wear your jazzed up denims that are so popular today. If you don't have any jazzed up denims yet, the Dressed Up Denim Lab is located at booth 403/502 on the show floor. Bring a denim garment with you to the show.

You can see how crystals are put on in Cheri's Crystals booth, or how to use Paintstiks in Laura Murray's booth, or how to use Designer Bindings in the Lollipops booth nearby - purchase your supplies and work away on dressing up your own denims. We'll have some practice pieces so you can try it out first if you want.

If you are into hockey, then you'll want to go to the opening game of the season of the Iowa Chops Hockey team. It's on Friday night. Scroll down in this blog for information on ordering tickets. Get your own cow bell to cheer on the Iowa Chops!

See you all at the show - October 8 - 11 at the Iowa Events Center, 730 Third Street, Des Moines, Iowa!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

We have received calls and e-mails from quilters who submitted checks for the room lottery at the Executive Inn that have been cashed and no confirmations have been received. AQS is working with the attorneys from the City of Paducah and McCracken County, as well as the Kentucky Attorney General to determine what has happened with these monies and who has rooms confirmed.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Don't miss out on the American Quilter’s SocietyNight Out with the CHOPS!!!OPENING NIGHT October 10, 2008 in Des Moines.

The Iowa Chops Hockey team vs. the Peoria Rivermen

Ticket Prices for Quilters:Center Ice seats $16.00Endzone seats $9.00

Free Chops Cow Bell for each group ticket purchased!

THERE ARE 2 WAYS TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS:

1) Click on the link below and enter the offer code 1010QUILT, click on the “BUY” logo on the right, and then enter your desired quantity. Do not clicks on best available or you will not be given the discount!

2) CONTACT YOUR TICKET REP JARED YOUNGMAN AT 515-564-8043 and order your tickets over the phone.

TICKETS BASED ON AVAILABILITY – ORDER FEES MAY APPLY. THE IOWA EVENTS CENTER WILL NOT REIMBURSE PATRONS THE DIFFERENCE IN TICKET PRICES FOR PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TICKETS OR TICKETS ORDERED INCORRECTLY THROUGH THE GROUP SALES WEBSITE! THIS OFFER CANNOT BE USED AT ANY DAHL’S FOODS OUTLET

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Are you coming to the AQS Quilt Expo in Des Moines, October 8 - 11, 2008? There are still some rooms at the Des Moines Marriott, 700 Grand Ave. It's the closest hotel to the Iowa Events Center where the quilt show will be held and you can get there through the skywalks. They have free shuttle service from the airport. Don't miss out on the great AQS Quilt Expo rate of $129 -- the current online rate is $229. To book your room, log on to http://www.desmoinesmarriott.com/ or call 515-245-5500.

Did you know the Iowa State Capitol’s impressive 275-foot golden dome is the largest of any state capitol in the nation, and is flanked by four smaller domes? The largest dome is covered with 23-karat gold sheets, equaling 100 ounces of gold. These sheets are so thin that 250,000 of them piled together would measure about one inch high. The Capitol building, dedicated in 1884 and completed in 1886 at a cost of some $2.8 million, is built of limestone, granite, sandstone and brick. In addition to serving as the seat of Iowa government, the Capitol is a showcase for artwork, woodcarving, artifacts and decorative wall and ceiling painting. Today, the Iowa State Capitol has just finished an extensive interior and exterior restoration. Add a visit to the Capitol to your visit to Des Moines.

Denim clothing that is decorated...with stitching, appliques, ribbon and trims, and, of course, crystals, is all the rage. Couture clothing by many of the leading designers have picked up this trend in garments of all sizes - from small rompers to elaborate jackets selling for hundreds of dollars.

At this year's AQS Quilt Expo, you can dress up your own denim. Just bring a denim shirt, jacket, jeans, or other garments with you and we'll have a space set up at the show, the Dressed Up Denims Lab, for you to do just that. Some of our vendors with products that you might need will be located nearby. These include Cheri's Crystals, with crystals that are heat set to adhere to the garment; Lollipops Designer Bindings, with binding that can be stitched in a variety of designs; Igolochkoy (Gail Bird), with materials for needlepunching designs, and Laura Murray Designs, with some great fabrics for applique and Paintstiks.

Here's how it works. You can watch demos in their booths to learn the techniques, purchase any supplies you might need, and go to the tables in the Dressed Up Denim Lab to work on your shirt, jacket, or jeans. We'll have some shirts for you to try it on before you begin working on your own jacket.

What fun! You can learn techniques from some of the best and they'll be close by if you have any questions...and you'll end up with your own couture style denims.

Then, be sure to sign up for the Brunch with Laurie Malm on Friday at 9:00 a.m., where we'll have a fashion show of Dressed Up Denims...and you can show off yours too.